Anti-PRRD blogger falls for identity theft; tags opposition personalities in destab plot
By Martin SadongdongÂ
An anti-administration blogger who allegedly collected a large sum from government officials by posing as a congressman, and claimed to be paid by former Liberal Party (LP) senators to discredit President Duterte, was arrested in an entrapment operation in Malabon City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced Thursday.
No less than Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP Chief, presented the primary suspect, Dennis Jose Borbon, 24, former congressional staff of 1-Ang Edukasyon Partylist and a self-proclaimed anti-Duterte blogger; and his cohort, Edgar Paulo James Bularan, 30, at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)
A third cohort was identified as Menard Gregg Bassa, 20, of Brgy. West Poblacion, Ocampo, Camarines Sur.
According to Albayalde, Borbon posed as Camarines Sur 4th District Representative Arnie Fuentebella and called Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla on Tuesday, July 30, to ask for money.
Borbon claimed that he lost his wallet while on a private trip in Coron, Palawan and asked for P25,000 to cover his expenses. However, Revilla called the personal number of the real lawmaker who denied that he was on a trip in Palawan.
This prompted Revilla to seek the help of the Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) which immediately set-up an entrapment operation.
After a lengthy discussion with the staff of Revilla and the police, the suspects agreed to withdraw the money.
The entrapment operation was deemed successful when Bassa withdrew the money from a Smart Padala number which the suspects provided to Revilla's staff.
A follow-up operation was conducted which led to the arrest of Borbon and Bularan after they withdrew another P10,000 at an automated teller machine (ATM) in Malabon City on Wednesday.
"This latest development highlights the need to raise awareness among our people of such nefarious activities and to initiate active counter-measures to protect themselves from this criminal schemes," Albayalde said.
Charges for violation of Section 4(b) (3) or computer-related identity theft of Republic Act No. 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Article 315 or estafa of the Revised Penal Code were prepared against the suspects.
'Destabilization plot'
Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and Congressman Fuentebella were present at Camp Crame when the two suspects were introduced to the media.
Go said that Borbon also tried to extort money from him, and fellow senators Francis Tolentino and Imee Marcos, but they refused to give.
Borbon, however, managed to extort P20,000 from a senator whom Go refused to be identified.
The suspect also victimized 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero, lawmakers from a "Teachers' Partylist," and a certain Congressman Lacson.
Borbon said that he "bought" the personal numbers of his victims through the "dark web."
"Itong nagpapanggap na Congressman Fuentebella, ginamit niya 'yong Viber... mukha ni Cong. Ipinapalabas niya na siya 'yon pero iba ang numero (This poser of Congressman Fuentebela used the lawmaker's face on a Viber account. He claimed he was the congressman but with a different number)," Go narrated.
On Sunday night, July 28, Go said Borbon sent him a Viber message and asked for money because a group of children is soliciting donations in Camarines Sur.
Go said he called the number of the real Fuentebella the following day to verify the story which the congressman denied.
"Mas naging interesado po ako dahil medyo malalim pala itong taong ito. Inutusan pala sila noong nakaraang eleksyon para siraan kami (I became more interested because this person has deeper motives. They were ordered last elections to discredit us)," Go claimed, after talking to the suspect.
According to Go, Borbon was paid by former Senator Bam Aquino to attack him and other senatorial candidates endorsed by the President on the blogger's social media accounts.
Borbon admitted to this, and said that he received P20,000 to P40,000 per month from the chief-of-staff of Aquino during the campaign period.
"Way back noong eleksyon, umaabot ng 300,000 engagements 'yong blog ko sa Facebook. Lumapit sa akin 'yong chief-of-staff ni Senator Bam Aquino na si Mr. Ares Goyena at pinapatira po sa akin ang senatorial candidates ng administrasyon (During the elections, my blog on Facebook reached 300,000 engagements. Senator Bam Aquino's chief-of-staff, Mr. Ares Goyena, approached me and offered me to attack the senatorial candidates of the administration)," Borbon said.
Borbon claimed that former Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV paid him to attack the administration bets.
Borbon also claimed he knows Peter Joemel Advincula alias "Bikoy," the man behind the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" videos which tagged the First Family and the President's close allies into the illegal drug trade.
Go said he sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the alleged destabilization plot against the President.
"Kilala niya si Trillanes, kilala niya si Alejano. Gusto ko lang po malaman 'yong totoo. Humihingi rin po ako ng hustisya dahil dalawang beses po nila akong pinaghubad noong eleksyon para patunayan 'yong puro black propaganda na ipinapataw nila sa akin na hindi totoo (He knows Trillanes and Alejano. I just want to know the truth. I am seeking for justice because they forced me to go half-naked twice during the elections to prove that the black propaganda they were hurling against me were not true)," Go said.
